Thermostatically operated electric switch



March 15, 1949. c. v. NEWBILL 1 THERMOSTATICALLY OPERATED ELECTRICSWITCH Filed April 24, 1946 f N VEN TOE czwz ZQ/ewbd A TTOPNEY PatentedMar. 15, 1949 THERMOSTATICALLY OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH Carl V. Newbill,Portland, Greg.

7 Application April 24, 1946, Serial No. 664,488

2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to electrical equipment andparticularly to a high tension arc arrestor.

The main object of this invention is to provide an arc arrestorespecially adapted for use in conjunction with signs employing gasfilled tubes as illuminating elements, whereby a section may be shuntedout of a high tension circuit whenever that section has becomeinoperative.

The second object is to reduce the hazards and inconveniences caused byleaks common in installations where one or more sections of gas filledsigns have become inoperative.

The third object is to construct a device whereby the failure of onesection of a sign will not cause the entire sign to be renderedinoperative.

These and other objects are set forth in the following specification asillustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a common form of application.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through one of the units showin theparts in an open circuit condition.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the parts in a closed circuitcondition.

Fig. 4 is a transversed section taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

Similar numbers of reference refer to the same or similar partsthroughout the several views.

Referring in detail to the drawing, there is shown a sign, which in thisinstance, consists of the letters E, S, and L, which are numbered I0, Il and I2 respectively. These letters are joined by the blackenedportions l3 and H at points where illumination is not desired.

The usual type of transformer I5, is indicated and its lead I6, isconnected tothe letter l0, while the lead I1, is connected to theblackened portion 18. which shows the letter l2. It will be understoodthat the letters III, II and I2 are gas filled and become luminous whenhigh tension current from the transformer passes through them.

If for any reason, a single unit, which in this instanceywill consist ofthe letters l and II, should fail, then of course no current would flowto the letter l2 whose blackened portion I8, is connected to the leadl1.

It will be understood that the letters'shown are merely illustrative andthat the letters E and S 2 would constitute one unit while the letter Lwould constitute the second unit. In actual practice, each unit must beprotected and for this purpose a separate arrestor is placed betweeneach unit and the transformer.

Referring particularly to my device, same will be seen to consist of atubular shell l9, having the metallic ends or caps 20, which normallyfit into the spring caps 2i, by means of which current is conducted tothe device from the lead l6.

Secured to each cap 20, is a rod 22, which terminates in a ring 23. Thetwo rings 23, are spaced as shown and enclosed within the glass tube 24,whose ends are sealed with heat resisting caps 25 which hermeticallyenclose the rod 22. The

- space between the rings 23, is occupied with a wax 26. or othercompound which will liquify when heated. A quantity of mercury is storedin the tube 24, on opposite sides of the dam, protected by the wax 26.

It is essential that the tube l9, and its contained tube be horizontal.The operation of the device is as follows:

Assuming that it is installed as shown in Fig. 1, and that either of themembers ID or II have broken down thereby destroying the usefulness ofthat section. The current will now fiow between the rings 23, therebymelting the wax 26, which is displaced by the mercury 21, which in turncloses the circuit across the rings 23, and shunts out the inoperativesection.

It must be understood that each section is provided with its ownarrestor which is merely a means of shunting the section out of thecircuit and afiording the desired protection for the sign. I am, ofcourse, aware that various forms of arc arrestors have been constructedin the past and it is therefore not my intention to cover such devicesbroadly. I do however intend to cover all such forms and modificationsthereof as fall fairly within the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A thermostatically operated electric switch consisting of a fibretube having a metallic cap at each end thereof, inwardly projecting rodssecured to said caps, each having a ring formed thereon concentric withthe rod, the rings of both of said rods being spaced from each other, aglass tube enclosing said rings and sealed on said rods, a fusiblenon-conductor of electricity forming a dam between said rings and aquantity of mercury disposed between said fusible non-conductor and oneouter end of said tube.

2. A switch of the class described, consisting of a glass tube having afusible dam across the middle thereof, constructed of a non-conductor ofelectricity, an electrode on each side of said dam and a quantity ofmercury in one side of said dam, said electrodes projecting from thesealed ends of said tube, whereby the fusing of said dam will permitmercury to bridge the gap between said electrodes and close said switch.

CARL NEWBILL.

4 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 16,087 Phelan May 26, 1925Re. 18,743 Ringwald Feb. 21, 1933 925,575 Furlani June 22, 1909 982,822Hughes et a1 Jan. 31, 1911 1,344,471 Abrahamsen June 22, 1920 1,645,201McBrien Oct. 11, 1927

